Aldi have up for grabs this 3.5" GPS.
$49.99 is pretty damn cheap, easy to use software, displays speed too.
Features.
Latest sensis mapping. Touch panel. Integrated FM transmitter. Micro SD card slot. Powered by WhereiS. 1 year warranty.
Theres a few good deals in this Catalog so expect a queue!
No.
READER WARNING!
This bargain has been copiously commented on by Dr Sheldon Cooper. Don't say you weren't warned. These comments are clear proof that he is not a fictional character - easily identifiable here despite the highly creative Sheldon-style pseudonym he is using on OzB during his sabatical here in Australia.
In fact if you 'think the accent' whilst reading each relevant comment it can be quite entertaining.
To make these comments easier to identify we have marked the beginning of each relevant comment with a red -ve square:-
Would not recommend. But you have 60 days to try it.
I am returning the same one left over from from last sale ($60) - was not that popular.
Screen is small, lots of incorrect directions to local shops on 'latest' Sensis maps (directed me up street diagonally opposite shops). Plays MP3, displays videos, can be used as an eBook reader all from microSD card - but the screen is small.
But if it can't get directions correct - what use is it?
may be your map was outdated? i got my navigon gps with old map (09 map), it gave me direction to somewhere in the mountain on the way back from kiama blowholes to sydney, after updated with the new map, everything is back to normal.
Well it will be the same maps as on this unit - 'latest' Sensis maps. (Date Modified is given as 16/6/11) Shops on main road have been there for at least 10 years! So don't know how it places them over 500m away up side street in a gym. No details in manuals to tell you how/where to upgrade maps.
should your neg be made towards Sensis and not this bargain? every brand of GPS has its minor directional problems.
Sensis map V.R.18.2 (June 2011) - so map not outdated
I have 3.5" Tomtom, and I am happy with it. If you like bigger screens, there are lot of options. I think you have to look straight and not 5" big screen navigator while driving.
If the device does not work properly, it is of no use and neg is valid. but if ur main reason, as u have written is small screen, it is 3.5" mentioned on the description, you can buy other stuff.
It is like negging a 21" monitor deal, as it is small for u and u like bigg.
No I was negging repeated direction errors to old known addresses, so was not confident it would take me correctly to known ones. Its no use having a GPS if I have to ask for directions to correct for its mistakes. Bigger screen is only a nice feature, especially as it is also promoted as a video player, MP3 player & eBook reader.
How is 3.5" a small screen? I have a Navman C40 bought last year and it's 3.5" and is fine - never had the need for anything bigger. A bigger screen will drain the battery faster.
Full manual available at tempoaustralia.com/manuals/gps3506.zip (assuming no upgrade in last few months). Its a good price, but I found there were a few issues & a bigger screen is helpful. (Only negged to draw attention to these issues, otherwise should be a good deal if you can live with limitations, for a good price.)
Have a look at the guidelines before negging! Negging to bring to attention isn't helpful at all since it gets removed from the first page. SO anyone who was thinking of buying it and didn't explicitly search it would not know of these issues.
Revoke neg if you really want to bring it to attention
Here is the Voting Guidelines
There are deals on the Frontpage with '-' votes. Some had 3. Have a look!
This deal was not pulled. I would have not negged if what you said was the case. Thankfully the OzBargain system is more robust now.
I basically know the rules (this falls in the 'grey area' of them - its not as clear as you seem to present), but the '+' vote kept going up (based purely on price I guess) on a GPS I had warned has major problems finding addresses (tried by experienced GPS users as well & reportedly lots being returned to Aldi), and is in my local & another (& probably other) Aldi at the same $49.99 price as posted - so no real deal near here.
I should have worded my reasons more clearly (& would have if I knew how some one react)- it was not just to draw attention. That would be more helpful. I just thought those reading already knew of the problems of this GPS posted earlier. Didn't want all of you to buy what was for me a crap product.
Hope you all are lucky/happy with the GPS when you buy.
Only negged to draw attention to these issues, otherwise should be a good deal if you can live with limitations, for a good price.
bruce, as others have pointed out, negging a deal to highlight that you have additional information is not what negative votes are for. You have a link to the user manual, great, but the neg is not valid for this reason.
However, you did mention that there are a few issues with the unit. Now you can neg a deal based on this, but care to elaborate more on what issues you found?
His issues are not real issues but rather he likes his more expensive tomtom better so this automatically becomes a bad deal.
His bad experience is likely user error or he's a very unlucky person and encountered a strange issue.
Not true. No tomtom - what imagination! No preference except the GPS get the addresses right. Is a getting a correct address a 'strange issue' with a GPS???
Bruce I'm curious, can you link to a better price or better quality unit for the same price?
The majority of GPS's suffer from issues, it doesn't stop this from being a good deal.
Negging for attention is not the way to do things, the comments will be seen anyway.
Also just FYI, I live in Brisbane as well, and Sensis 2011 maps work perfectly for me keeping in mind that we have a lot of contruction and changes happening in Brisbane so you can't expect the GPS to update magically when this happens.
No better price that I know of & $10 off normal Aldi price - the price is great - that is why I bought it at the normal price a few weeks back. But based on how many units were unsold/returned after the last sale, knowing Aldi the price may drop even further in a few weeks!! If Aldi couldn't shift them before at $60, it may say something about the unit.
It was my first GPS - so no TomTom preference as you say. They were 'real issues'. Tried finding addresses I already knew & it got 3 so wrong - on wrong street. Others used my unit had same problem, so can't see it was user error or bad luck! There is no reference in the manual how to upgrade maps. So you will need to know how to buy & install map upgrades.
I thought about it before considering a neg, knowing it is not a normal reason & I stated it was a good price, just not such a reliable GPS. A cheap price on a poor product by definition is not a great deal. If you are buying it, it is handy to know that, plus I posted a link to the full user manual so you could make up your own minds. Just seemed everyone was getting carried away with pluses of price on deal ($10 off) without having used the unit. Its not as if 1 neg will remove it given so many pluses (12+ when I negged).
A bit dearer, there is the name brand Garmin Nuvi 30 GPS (same size screen) for $99 at http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/national-deal/-garmin-gps-/7… & HN have units around $78.
As for Sensis map (June 2011 version) - no new roadworks at addresses it got wrong, same as 10 years ago. If it could not guide me correctly to known old addresses on a main road, I would not trust it with unknown ones.
Go ahead & buy it if you don't want to listen to someone who has used the unit - you can easily return it to Aldi. Hope it is good for you.
ps Like the fish!
the deal is for a $49.99 gps, not $78 or $99 or more. Find a cheaper one?
Process for Groupon…
1. Buy your Groupon
2. We email you the voucher
3. Voucher activates on Friday 18th November 2011
4. Go to http://delivery.groupon-australia.com/ds-garmin-gps
5. Enter delivery details and your voucher code
Process for Aldi..
1. Buy GPS, still $50 cheaper
You say the normal price is $59. I cant walk into Aldi any day of the week and buy this GPS can i? Its a special buy, there is no normal price. Guess what, it probably was $79 3 months ago, and a higher price before that!
You mention advice from someone who has used the unit. I've had 2 of them, I'm happy, if i wasn't happy i would have not bothered posting the deal.
Glad it worked well for you. Thanks for posting it. I would & have done the same (in posting a better deal) with an item I was happy with. Please don't take it personally - it is a great price (if price is the sole measure of a bargain), just it kept getting addresses wrong, and not just for me. Its sitting in front of me to return tomorrow.
There was still stock of these at my local Aldi last week - 2 months after sale, so has been available for a while for $10 more.
2 months ago $59.99… http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/52452
It is still available at my local Aldi for the same price you listed. So yes- it may be available now at your Aldi for you to walk in & buy.
But as you say you bought this same model, I don't know why you don't know the price when you bought it - it is a new model with new maps (June 2011). My guess is you have an earlier model! Aldi badges units from different manufacturers with same logos, boxes, etc. They can behave totally differently.
TomTom can be a royal pain for giving incorrect directions too, so no system is without its bugs. For instance, it seems whenever I am in Brisbane he attempts to take me out of the way to ensure that I use Clem7.
Are you implying collusion between Mr TomTom & a tollway operator. Naughty Mr TomTom. LOL What - no OzBargain cheapest route setting? This Aldi GPS has a no Tollway setting.
NAVFREE on iphone is free on appstore (if u own an iphone)
3.5inch screen :)
dedicated vs phone is not a proper comparison. I myself use a phone with navigon for personal use but the office car has a Garmin 3790T because it offers a much easier and more intuitive experience as well as being integrated into the dash
Nice deal - I bought the Aldi Go Cruise before for my mother to use. It runs iGo GPS software and has a handy "speedometer" display which shows your speed in big numbers in the middle of the screen, which is great for driving around locally when you don't need the maps function (touch the area of the map screen where it shows speed - it switches to speedo view).
The 3.5" screen is a little small - would prefer a 4.3", but for the price, an excellent bargain.
hey guys bought this unit when aldi first had it for 59 dollars.. my question is, has anyone bought on of these units and figured out how to use the fm transmitter ? i cant seem to figure it out to save ma life…
thanks in advance….
Anyone able to tell me if this shows the position of fixed speed cameras? Also, does it have to be connected to power for it to run?
Shows fixed speed cameras, although I have not been through one to test it. (see link to manual above) Battery powered (up to 3 hours) - you can walk around with it & as is also a MP3/Video player & ebook reader.
thanks
it plays "I fought the law and the law won" if you go throught the fixed speed camera at more than 12km/h over the speed limit.
Don't believe me? Try it, it's true!
Do you realise what a d!ck you are making of yourself bwucefrownaustralia… For less than $50 it's a bargain mate.
I could (but won't) say the same to you, boonanza. I would rather add to the discussion of the deal (which does not exist without the product!), not the individual!! I think there is a bit about that in the rules…
And you have used this GPS model & so are so knowledgable???
Price alone does not make a bargain!
I was just warning the product may not be that good. It repeatedly got addresses wrong! If a GPS won't work correctly with latest maps - it is not a bargain.
Plus you can buy it now at my (& maybe your) local Aldi for $49.99!
I am such a helpful 'd!ck'!
Well - vent your spleen, as others have done for me taking the trouble of pointing out there are problems with the one I bought. Just because an earlier Aldi model works fine, does not mean this one is OK. Aldi source from many manufacturers & rebadge using the same product description. Also their electronics can be patchy in quality. One unit works fine, while another in the same batch is only good for the bin. (A good tip with Aldi is to buy 2, incase 1 is a dud!) They have had so many returns on this GPS, according to Aldi staff. So call Aldi what ever you want as well!
If providing OzBargainers with feedback about a product (which is the basis of a deal) is so bad - I won't waste my time! Is buying based on price the only thing you consider? By the number of '+' votes on a relisted deal (which attracted little comment at $10 more) - it must be. (I have this lovely stick for sale at a bargain price of $49.99!!!)
I think boonanza should look at yourself & what you have contributed to this discussion before calling others names. It is offtopic, offensive & contributes nothing to the discussion of the deal.
doesn't really matter what you say, everyone else thinks what Boonanza thinks and makes what you think of Boonanza redundant.
great price. I bought it for 59.99 a month ago.
This is a basic unit which will get MOST people started. As a casual user, this is MORE THAN ENOUGH. If you are a pizza delivery boy, then DEFINITELY dont get this, get something a bit more trustworthy brand.
i tried this GPS 'once'. Works ok by the look. a few other functions like photo viewer ..etc….but GPS is the only thing I used.
Good unit for a occasional user!!! Get it if u are looking for something cheap.
plenty of stock left today (2 months after last sale) at $49.99 at my local Aldi (Carindale, Brisbane)
so if you don't want to wait… try your local Aldi.
But, when I returned mine - it was the first return where no questions were asked & I was given cash refund without filling in the returns form or the manager approving return. Seems they are so used to giving refunds on this GPS!
nah, sometimes they do it after you leave. Specially if the checkout person is new. Or maybe the manager/assistant manager was serving you as it happens sometimes when they are short of staff.
I worked in Aldi before and can say for certain that no refunds have ever been made without Manager/AM Approval. IIRC there was some gardening equipment that was totally faulty and we were having quite a few returns everyday. We still had to wait and get Manager's approval before giving a refund.
Quiet day at Aldi. They only said there had been a lot of these GPS returned & did I want cash rather than putting it back on my card.
So Aldi accept $60 cash returns without filling out a return form? They are very generous. I am amazed people don't bring back a box with rubbish in it! They never check. There would have been no way for Aldi to get its money back, as they gave me back my receipt. Trouble is abusers will wreck the 60 day return policy.
Well I used to check all components of the box before doing a return, probably it's a new person on the till who doesn't know what s/he is doing. A copy of the receipt is printed out with all returns, which I'm guessing was a new person and they gave it back to you accidentally.
As for the deal, $50 GPS is a good deal for all those not in Brisbane and deal doesn't deserve a neg for that. In fact sensis is responsible for google map data as well so it's best to contact sensis in this matter and advise them of the current misdirections the GPS has given.
You were doing what should be done, not what I have seen. Over many years I have returned quite a few faulty or unmwanted electronics to Aldi, they have never opened the box at any of the 4 close Aldi stores. But I always have had to fill out a return form - I supply a lot of detail about faults. Staff barely have the time to do anything extra. Even managers never check my returns. I don't think I look that honest!! My local has great staff. But, checking probably depends on the area.
Since Aldi did not bother even asking for fault details (no return form), & I have already gone out of my way to diagnose faults in Aldi PVR Firmware this year (detailed fault report, diagnostics & workaround), only to be given indifferent reception by Aldi store manager (what - all these PVRs have a major fault, well they will be returned & someone else will buy them), and disinterest by manufacturers agent (just get a refund), I'll pass on notifying Sensis of the numerous errors.
$50 is a good price, but you may reconsider as I did after using it. (It was purely the performance of the unit that was bad enough to earn a neg, after consideration of the effect.) I was looking forward to playing with it. Only had problems locating addresses - but who needs that in a GPS???
Have you tried you local Aldi? There has been lots of stock here since the September sale. I guess this is not just a local abberation. Both glass cases held stock.
As if there was not enough from me - a double post (edited)!
Strange that people neg the advice that the deal is available now - at least at some Aldis!
I think they are negging you and don't really care how helpful you think you are being.
No! And I thought OzBargain was about the DEAL!
And this from a person who fabricated a story about me - what tomtom? LOL
If people are genuinely interested in the DEAL - they can get it now at the same price (if there is stock at their local Aldi - plenty at mine), same as on Saturday as stock is always limited & it beats the Saturday crowds - can't see how that is not helpful!
After all that was all this deal is about - the deal!
Anything else is by definition, BS. (including this.)
Thanks for all of these comments BfA.
Yes, I love 'Big Bang Theory' too.
good for the price. a branded navman 3.5" with 3 years map upgrades is still $99, so $49 is good.
Reversing camera attachable?